Clifton 'Clift' K. Tsuji[1] (January 20, 1941 – November 15, 2016) was an American politician who served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2005 until his death in 2016. A Democrat, Tsuji represented District 2 from January 16, 2013, until his death on November 15, 2016.[2] Tsuji consecutively served from January 2005 until 2013 in the District 3 seat. Tsuji died on November 15, 2016, at the age of 75 at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.[3]
In 2004, when Democratic Representative Eric Hamakawa retired and left the District 3 seat open, Tsuji won the September 18, 2004, Democratic primary with 3,482 votes (66.4%),[4] and won the November 2, 2004, general election with 5,696 votes (61.1%) against Republican nominee Andy Smith,[5] who had lost the 2002 general election to Hamakawa.
In 2006, Tsuji was unopposed for the September 26, 2006, Democratic primary, winning with 5,510 votes,[6] and won the November 7, 2006, general election with 6,695 votes (80.6%) against Republican nominee Fabian Toribio.[7]
In 2008, Tsuji was unopposed for the September 20, 2008, Democratic primary, winning with 5,086 votes,[8] and won the November 4, 2008, general election with 7,958 votes (79.7%) against Republican nominee Deirdre Tavares.[9]
In 2010, Tsuji was unopposed for the September 18, 2010, Democratic primary, winning with 5,532 votes,[10] and won the November 2, 2010, general election with 6,917 votes (78.7%) against Republican nominee Tania Cortez-Camero.[11]
In 2012, Tsuji was redistricted to District 2, and with Democratic Representative Jerry Chang retiring, Tsuji was unopposed for both the August 11, 2012, Democratic primary, winning with 5,814 votes,[12] and the November 6, 2012, general election.[13]
